Stop remains by retirement village

Relevant offers

Christmas came early for the residents of the Manningville Pensioner flats.

Plans to scrap a bus stop from outside the gate of the Royal Oak retirement village have been scrapped after residents kicked up a fuss about losing their "lifeline".

Auckland Transport is reviewing all bus stop locations along Manukau Rd, from Onehunga to the intersection with Great South Rd in Newmarket.

It is looking at removing some stops along the busy stretch to speed up bus journeys and has completed a route review which found some stops were too close together and others too far apart. This can have implications on the efficiency of the service and travel times.

The investigation found three stops between Mt Smart Rd and Trafalgar St including the one outside the pensioner housing were very close together.

Because of this and low patronage Auckland Transport considered removing the stop.

But engineer Jacinda Harries says after public feedback it was decided not to proceed with the plan.

"Auckland Transport received significant feedback regarding the removal of stop 8729, the majority of it opposed but some in support.

"While initially it was considered that 160m was not too far to walk to the adjacent stop should this stop be removed, clearly from feedback this is not the case and this proposed removal would have a detrimental effect on many of the elderly residents."

Manningville resident Lofty Rainford told the Central Leader in November that the bus provided a vital link to the city for those who couldn't drive. The decision to keep the stop has buoyed the small community, he says.

"It's good news for everyone, it's great. The boys are all pleased because they can hop on the bus and go to the doctor, visit families or friends or just go for a trip."